The Health-Related Quality of Life in Patients with Diabetic Foot Ulcers in Türkiye: Challenges in Diagnosis and Treatment
Journal of the American Podiatric Medical Association, cilt.116, sa.4, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
- Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
- Cilt numarası: 116 Sayı: 4
- Basım Tarihi: 2026
- Doi Numarası: 10.3390/japma116040045
- Dergi Adı: Journal of the American Podiatric Medical Association
- Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, CINAHL, EMBASE, MEDLINE, Biomedical Reference Collection: Corporate Edition (EBSCO)
- Anahtar Kelimeler: diabetic foot ulcer, DFU, quality of life, QoL, DFS-SF, health-related quality of life, HRQoL
- Sağlık Bilimleri Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet
Özet
Background: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a metabolic disease with an increasing global prevalence. It is characterized by chronic and systemic complications. Due to these complications, DM significantly impacts patients’ health-related quality of life (HRQoL). One of the most critical complications of DM is diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs), which have serious consequences for patients and healthcare systems. Objective: This study aimed to investigate variables potentially associated with HRQoL in patients with DFUs presenting to our wound care unit. Methods: This prospective cross-sectional study was conducted from February to May of 2023 at the Wound Care Unit of the General Surgery Department at Eskişehir City Hospital. A total of 209 patients who agreed to participate were included in the study. Data were collected via a structured questionnaire developed based on the literature, which included the Diabetic Foot Ulcer Scale–Short Form (DFS-SF). We used the Kolmogorov–Smirnov test, univariate analyses (Mann–Whitney U and Kruskal–Wallis tests), and multiple linear regression. Results: In the multivariate analysis, receipt of foot care education (p < 0.001), frequency of hospital applications due to DFU (p = 0.008), and Wagner classification (p = 0.012) were found to be predictors of HRQoL for DFUs (Adjusted R2 = 0.206, F = 4.365, p < 0.001). Conclusions: To maintain a high HRQoL among DFU patients, they should immediately apply to specialized Wound Care Units, receive education, especially regarding early diagnosis and treatment, and receive multidisciplinary management for DFU.